Impulse generator



A ril 29, 1958 J. F. DRESCHER 2,832,902

IMPULSE GENERATOR Filed Sept. 17, 1956 ILS 49'\ 7:51 I

ATTORNEYS United States Patent" IMPULSE GENERATOR John F. Drescher, Santa Monica, Calif. Application September 17, 1956, Serial No. 610,304

7 Claims. (Cl. 310-) tion is distinguished from the invention setforth in the.

referred to co-pending application in that a simplified actuating means is used enabling a decrease in the overall dimensions and weight of the unit as well as a more easilyoperated device. In addition, the return spring means disclosed in the co-pending application is not employed in-the present invention, and a novel return lever, mechanism is substituted to effect the return of the core to its first or normal position. i p The. impulse generator of the present invention is de signed particularly for manual actuation for applications in connection with the electrical firing of guns and 'simi lar apparatus. As a consequence, it must be constructed such that it may be mounted on a gun or in the alternative be held in the operators hand.

An object of the present invention, therefore, is to provide an improved impulse generator of simplified construction and relatively small overall dimensions for use in ap-, plications where the unit must be actuated by the force of an operators hand.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved impulse generator which will provide a relatively high rate of change of flux by eiiecting a very rapid movement of the core through the magnetic field within the unit.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide an impulse generator which may be constructed with a minimum number of parts and which will require minimum maintenance over an extended period of time. Generally, these and other objects of the present invention are attained by providing an actuating springv coupled to the core, which is of a design similar to that disclosed in applicants above referred to co-pending application. In this regard, the actuating spring has one portion so disposed as to bias the core from a first given a position towards a second given position when the lever arm is forced, for example, in a downward direction. Similarly, the actuating spring has another portion so disposed as to bias the core from the second given position towards the first given position in response to manual actuation of the return lever mechanism.

The improved impulse generator of the present invention further includes a spring means coupled to the lever means not only serves to transmit the mechanical force 2,832,902 PatentedApr. 29, 1958 required for movement of the core, but it also serves to supplement this force with a quick acting stored energy means resulting in accelerated rate of movement of the core through the magnetic field.

In order to restore the core to its first position or, its original position prior to operation, a return lever mech anism is provided for manual operation exterior of the housing or casing for the device. In a preferred embodiment, the return lever mechanism is coupled directly to the actuating spring at a location such that a'maiiimu'r'nv torque will be transmitted to the actuating spring, whereby only a relatively small amount of force is required to eifect the operation of the return lever mechanism and return,

the core to its original position.

A better understanding of the improved impulse generator of thepresent invention will be had by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which an illustrative embodiment is shown and in which: 7

Figure 1 is a cross section of the improved impulse generator after operation has been effected;

Figure 2 is a top view of the impulse generator taken in the direction of the arrows 22 of Figure 1; and,

Figure 3 is an enlarged view of the return'lever mechanism employed with the impulse generator shown in: Figures 1 and 2. 5

Referring now to the drawings, there is shown in Fig; ure 1 an impulse generator according to the present invention provided with a casing 10 comprising a top plate 11, a bottom plate 12, side plates 13 and 14, a back plate 15, .and afront plate 16.v In a preferred construction, the

casing 10 is formed integrally with only the front plate 16 being removable and secured to the casing with screws or the like, not shown in the drawings. The side plate 13 may be provided with screw holes or the like asindi cated for attachment to a gun or other apparatus if desired. 7 a

Positioned within the casing 10 is a magnetic assembly generally designated by the numeral 17, which is vertically spaced, in the view of Figure 1, from the top plate 11 and bottom plate 12 through the use of set screws 18 which are adjustable from the outer surface of the casing. The magnetic assembly 17 includes a top side bar 19 and a bottom side bar 20, both formed of magnetic material. Permanent magnets 21 and 22 connect together, respec tively, adjacent ends of the side bars 19 and 20; Projecting downwardly from an intermediate portion of the top side-bar 19 are poles 23 and 24, and similarly poles 25 and 26 project upwardly from an intermediate portion of the bottom side bar 20.

A core 27 is positioned between the poles of the top side bar 19 and the bottom side bar 20. In Figure 1, the core 27 is shown disposed in its second position or its position after actuation of the device.

Disposed around the core 27 in between the poles of the side bars 19 and 20 is a coil 28 having leads 29. Leads 29 have been schematically shown as passing through" the base portion of the casing 10 for suitable connection to the particular load to be operated by the impulse generator.

An actuating spring 30 has its ends'31 and 32 coupled respectively to the ends of the core 27. The actuating the side members 33 and 34 and provided with an arcuate section 38. The arcuate section 38 is positioned over i a transverse pin 39 having its ends mounted in the back plate 15 and (front plate 16, respectively.

The lever arm of the present invention is in the form of an operating handle generally designated by the numeral 40 and pivotably coupled to the top plate 11, as with a pin 41. The operating handle 40 is generally u-shap'ed in cross section and includes side walls 42 provided with aligned apertures 43, adapted to accommodate the movement of the handle 40 downwardly into the casing without contacting the pin 39.

The operating handle is disposed in a rectangular opening 44 cut through the topside plate 11, whichnar rows down to an undercut slot 45 for accommodating the horizontal member 37 of the actuating spring 39.

The operating handle 40 has an upper portion or top closure 46 against which rests a spring means in the formi of a flat spring 47 which has one end coupled to the pin 41. The spring 47 includes a curved section adapted to contact a radiused corner 48 of the actuating spring for effecting movementthereof. In order that the operating handle] '40 may move downwardly over the actuating spring as well as the pin 39, another aperture 49, as shown more clearly in the view of Figure 2, is provided in the frontal portion of the operating handle 40.

The return lever mechanism incorporated in the improved impulse generator of the present invention is shown more clearly in the view of Figure 3 where it is generally identified by the numeral 58. The mechanism 50 includes a pair of spaced arms 51, respectively, coupled to back and front plates and 16, as seen in the view of Figure 2. The arms 51 are connected at one end with a rod handle 52, and their other ends are rotatably secured to the plates 15 and '16 through the provision of inwardly extending pins 53 adapted for mounting in corresponding bores 54 in the respective plates 15 and 16.

Adjacent the pins 53, an actuating bar 55 extends between the arms 51, into walls 15 and 16, and through a generally tubular section 56 of a sling 57. The sling 57 is provided with an aperture 58 through which passes a side member 34 of the actuating spring 30. Thus, in response to downward movement of the rod handle 52, a force will be imposed on the side member 34, which will be transmitted to the core 27 to effect its movement and return the core to its initial position (opposite to that shown in Figure 1).

The operation of the improved impulse generator according to the present invention is similar in many respects to the impulse generator disclosed in applicants above referred to co-pending application. In Figure 1, core 27 is shown disposed in its second position, or after movement of the operating handle 40 downwardly. In order to restore the core 27 and the actuating spring 30 to the first position, in which the core 27 will be contacting poles 23 and 26, the return lever 50 projecting from the exterior of the casing '10 is forced downwardly to in turn cause the sling 57 to draw the actuating spring 30 downwardly and effect movement of the core 27 back to its first position.

As the core 27 moves back to its first position, the radiused corner 48 of the actuating spring will move upwardly against the fiat spring 47 until the back surface of the operating handle 40 comes into contact with the adjacent side walls of the aperture 44 in the top plate 11. Thereafter, any further movement of the actuating spring will create an increasing tension in the flat spring 47 within the operating handle 40.

When it is desired to operate the impulse generator,

the operating handle 40 is merely gripped with the operators hand and forced downwardly. As this movement occurs, the fiat spring 47 will transmit the load imposed on the operating handle 40 to the radiused corner 48 of the actuating spring 30. imposed on the actuating spring 30 about the pivot point As a consequence, a torque will be i "soon as this magnetic force is overcome, asnap-like action will occur causing the core to move rapidly through the magnetic field in a manner similar tothat described in applicants above referred to co-pending application. The current induced in the coil 28 as a consequence of the movement of the core may be conducted through leads 29 to an appropriate load.

Referring to Figure 1, it will be noted that in the construction 'of this improved impulse generator, the pivot point for the operating handle or lever arm 40 is spaced an appreciable longitudinal distance from the pivot point or pin 39 used in conjunction with the actuating spring 30.

. .For this reason, a construction may be utilized whereby the booster spring or flat spring 47 transmits its force di- 15' rectly to the actuating spring at a longitudinal point furthest removed from the pin 39, thereby enabling a maximum torque to be imposed on the actuating spring about its pivot point. On the other hand, in view of the space between the pivot points 41 and 39, the manual force exerted on the operating handle or lever arm is minimized since the full length of the operating handle 40 is used for imposing a torque on the fiat spring 47, whereas the upward force from the radius corner 48 is at a point close to'the pivot point 41 creating a minimum resisting torque. This construction also enables immediate operation upon application of manual force before appreciable movement of the handle 40 has occurred.

From the foregoing description, it will be evident that the improved impulse generator according to the present invention may be simply and economically constructed for easy manual operation in applications where mechanical loads may not be available foractuation of the impulse 7 generator.

' Although a preferred embodiment has been shown and described, various modifications and changes may be made within the scope and spirit of the invention, and the features of this improved impulse generator are not, therefore, to be thought of as limited to this preferred embodior pin 39, which will be transmitted to the core'27 asa downward force at the point where the end 31 of the actuating spring 37 is coupled to the core 27, It will be appreciated that before any movement occurs in the actuating spring 30 that energy will be stored in the flat ment.

What is claimed is: 1. In an impulse generator, including a. core, and a lever arm adapted to effect movement of said core from a first given position to a second given position when said lever arm isimoved in a given direction, the combination of: an actuating spring coupled to the ends of said core and having a portion so disposed as to bias said core towards said second given position in response to movement of said lever .arm in said given direction; and, a return lever means coupled to said actuating spring adjacent an end of said core, whereby said return lever means may be actuated to force said core towards said first given position. 2. The combination, according to claim 1, and a booster spring coupled to'said lever arm, said booster spring being so disposed as to pre-load said actuating spring and positioned to transmit the force imposed on said lever arm to said actuating spring as said lever arm is moved in said' given direction.

3. In an impulse generator including a core adapted for movement from a first given position to a second coupled to said impulse generator at a first given pivot point and adapted to effect movement of said core; a lever arm coupled to said impulse generator at a second given pivot point spaced a given longitudinal distance frorn said first given pivot point; and, a booster spring coupled to said lever arm at said second given pivot point and being so disposed as to pre-load a portion of the actuating spring furthest longitudinally spaced from said first given .pivot point.

4. The combination, according to claim 3, in which return lever means are coupled to said actuating spring adjacent said core.

5. In an impulse generator including a core adapted for movement from a first given position to a second given position, the combination of: an actuating spring coupled to said impulse generator at a first given pivot point and adapted to eflect movement of said core; said actuating spring being generally U-shaped and comprising a horizontal member and two side members integrally formed with said horizontal member, said side members having their ends coupled to said core; a lever arm coupled to said impulse generator at a second given pivot point spaced a given longitudinal distance from said first given pivot point; and a booster spring coupled to said lever arm at said second given pivot point and being so disposed as to pre-load a portion of the actuating spring at one of the points of connection between the horizontal member and side members thereof.

6. The combination, according to claim 5, in which return lever means are coupled to Said actuating spring adjacent said core.

7. The combination, according to claim 6, in which said return lever means comprises: a sling coupled to said actuating spring adjacent said core; a transverse pin coupled to said sling; and elongated arm means pivotally mounted on said impulse generator and coupled to said pin, whereby said arm means may be actuated to transmit a force through said pin to said sling and actuating spring to force return of said core to said first position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,376,557 Severance May 22, 1945 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,037,204 France Apr. 29, 1953 

